Detroit Works Project, others, and you!

Detroit initiatives worth knowing:

1)  Detroit Works
[Important ongoing/upcoming events in motion] The Detroit Works project has the city municipality's attention and leans strongly toward economic revitalization.  It takes public recommendations, and would certainly benefit from balanced perspectives in community and environmental development toward comprehensive sustainability.

Schedule of events/strategic sessions (soonest August 14th at 2929 Russell Street the full schedule is in the link below, and pasted for viewing-purposes only at the bottom of this post):
http://detroitworksproject.com/engagement/how-to-engage/

2)  Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) framework
Thomas Stephens, a long-time Detroit community advocate (he gave strong comments at last year's EPA Enviro. Justice conference) and policy analyst for the City pointed me to the Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) framework, which outlines roles for community organizations and downtown development which are soundly informed by comprehensive principles of sustainability and existing visioning (earth charter, etc.):

CDAD Declaration (fair summary of principles, etc.):

http://www.scribd.com/doc/102398605/CDAD-detroit-Declaration-plus 

The Framework (Visioning--the big picture about what organizations fit in where)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/102632046/CDAD-Revitalization-Framework-2010

This was informed by local input and key principles to sustainable cities from "Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems" [see bottom of this post for the key points and book it came from], some Detroit groups were using these to guide their visioning efforts and city/community development plans.

The CDAD was supposed to do what the Detroit Works project strives to do now and had a lot of heart put into it but before it really got traction a change in City administration seems to have hampered its promotion and use.  From what I've interpreted from reading the CDAD, it leans more toward vision than direct recommended actions, but the conditions established in the document are important for the amount of consideration they give.  I'd recommend they be included in the Detroit Works plans.

Key points from Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems (8 pages of bullet points, etc):
http://www.scribd.com/doc/102626881/Cities-as-Sustainable-Ecosystems
The book from which it was sourced from:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/19720427/cities-as-sustainable-ecosystems

Additional Detroit visioning initiatives:

At this point, I've counted and/or participated in four Detroit-shaping visioning events, I'm certain there are more that I'm missing.  I'm listing them here for any potential readers to consider and urge you to represent the insight from your experience as well as the insight found in these previous initiatives at the ongoing Detroit Works program.

The Engineering Society of Detroit Institute's Future Detroit youth symposium (Disclaimer: I was a facilitator there--middle school students from Detroit and Dearborn school districts came up with how and what they wanted Detroit to transform 30 years into the future. Their insight was very good, but I'm unclear if anyone followed up on the policy recommendations submitted to city administration garnered from this event.  Also, it's worth noting some important narratives were trimmed down for space concerns--some worthwhile ideas didn't make it into the final print but you can request the full drafts.):
http://bit.ly/FutureDetroitYouthSymposiumESDI

CDAD (mentioned above)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/102632046/CDAD-Revitalization-Framework-2010

Detroit Vision 2012 (I don't know what came of the event, but here's what the website says is their "takeaway" message from having it happen--I suspect the wisdom garnered from the event was a "you-should-have-been-there" case, all of the recommendations seem rather generic but the community organizations are accessible and continue to do substantial work):
http://detroit2012.org/news/takeaway/

Detroit Works (mentioned above):
http://detroitworksproject.com/

Good science considers all data, and authentic community input is no exception--I believe the time, talents, hope, and effort put into these initiatives are invaluable and should not be wasted.  With all due respect to the creators and contributors of these events, from an outsider's perspective, there seems to be a substantial disjoint between good community engagement and coherent plans for focused actions among the people responsible and capable of enacting insight.  Hopefully this will change.

The Detroit Works schedule:

Please call 313-259-4407 or e-mail Info@DetroitLongTerm.com.

Please come out and participate in any of the events listed below (note: all times below are in E.S.T.):

Open Houses will be hosted at the Long Term Planning HomeBase at 2929 Russell Street in August and September from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with brief presentations at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The open houses will focus on Draft Strategies that relate to the following:

• Tuesday, August 7: Economic Growth;
• Tuesday, August 14: Neighborhoods;
• Tuesday, August 21: City Systems, Infrastructure and Environment;
• Tuesday, August 28: Land Use, Zoning and Urban Design; and
• Tuesday, September 4: Public Land and Facilities.

• August 9: Zion Chapel, 3000 24th St, Detroit, MI 48216
• August 16: Highland Park Housing Commission 13725 John R.  Please note this event has been cancelled.
• August 24: Boys and Girls Club, 20100 Schoenherr Street between E.7 Mile and 8 Mile Rd.

• July 31;
• August 7, 14, 21, and 28; and
• September 4 and 11.

• August 22
• August 29, and
• September 5.

Four Community Conversations about the Draft Strategies will be hosted between September 10 and September 14, 2012. They will provide another opportunity for Detroiters to connect with one another, learn about some Draft Strategies and provide their feedback. The locations and times are as follows:

• Monday, Sept 10: Northwest – Leland Missionary Baptist Church, 22420 Fenkell, Detroit
• Tuesday, Sept 11: North East – American Serbian Memorial Hall, 19940 Van Dyke St., Detroit
• Wednesday, Sept 12: Central/Near East – Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, 3606 E. Forest Ave, Detroit 48207
• Thursday, Sept 13: Southwest – Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, 1211 Trumbull Street, Detroit

Rouge Project Comments: Reply from the Army Corps of Engineers

I've discovered "The Agency Tone" of written voice. Very polite! Possibly because I submitted comments over a month ago (several agencies dealing with the National Environmental Protection Act [NEPA] are obligated to give response within the month of communications from the public).  Having spoken to EPA employees, the EPA has legal obligation to respond to any citizen communications--probably within a month timeframe too.  

The Army Corps of Engineers  (ACE--what a fine acronym to have!) was supposed to respond with 30 days (I'm no longer sure, but I suspect it's a direct stipulation from NEPA), but I had to prod them earlier in December to see if there'd be any follow-up.

This is about as exciting as I'd imagine getting a personal letter from an elected official. For those who can't really see what's here--it's a personal letter from the DOD's Army Corps of Engineers in response to my questions--stamped and signed too! 

In reply to my procedural and project comments to the Army Corps of Engineers from November, Detroit district sent a personal letter with detailed replies to both comment sets I submitted.

One of my primary concerns involved the poor degree of outreach--had it not been for friends who major in environmental studies/science and work with the Friends of the Rouge, I might not have known about the proposal at all!

It turns out (as you'll see in their reply letter) the Army Corps of Engineers did what they could and needed to inform local governments and organizations. From what I read, the ACE's response to one of my questions (about watershed outreach plans) means that promotion/marketing/pr is more of an issue than having the right community stakeholders and closer coordination between federal and local government.

I suspect poor infrastructure for communication and outreach is an endemic issue for our beloved but under-budgeted/staffed local governments and not-for-profit organizations alike.

Also, I learned county government plays a more significant role in the project than previously thought.

I believe PR organizations/institutions and colleges (with education and marketing programs or willing interns from any discipline) can better help coordinate and promote the outreach in the future.

Page 1 (click the image[s] to read)
I'll let you decide what happened with
the date that they entered--by the looks of things
I submitted my comments in the future!
Also, I couldn't resist blacking out my address
on a government document,
it now looks even more official than the original.

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4  Hand signed with a real person's signature!

A random remark: this post has a lot of meta text--I wrote (and you read) about photos of writing--how odd!


And my follow-up e-mail (from Dec. 8th):
To whom it may concern,

I submitted a procedural recommendation on Monday Nov. 7th and (according to my e-mail) comments on Nov. 8th at 12:00 AM and would like to know about the status of the project. I did not receive any message of acknowledgement or reply within the 30 day timeframe and therefore am writing to request for follow up.

I hope the procedural recommendation merits a reply since it was submitted within the comment deadline.

Thank you...

Public comments for public access to taxpayer research & watching for SOPA

U.S. friends, some of your tax dollars go towards congressional research.  Public access to that research--especially in the sciences (like health)--is important.  The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is taking insight and recommendations for open access to research. Please participate in making the groundwork for a better informed democracy before January 2nd!

http://www.taxpayeraccess.org/action/action_access/11-1117.shtml

Also, the internet may be viewed as a commons--it's worthwhile to note that the currently proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) will have several ramifications for how we may be able to use the internet, and influence the pacing of innovation worldwide.  I'm still trying to grasp the legislation, but the below video and overviews from CNET and International Business Times seem fairly useful and even in addressing the intentions behind the bill.  The video clearly persuades toward anti-SOPA advocacy:

(found: http://tech.pnosker.com/2011/12/26/sopa-pip-explained-godaddy-loses-21000-domains-and-stops-supporting-sopa/ which links to http://fightforthefuture.org/ where people can reach their representatives and make their statements).


http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/272580/20111225/sopa-bill-2012-things-know-controversial-legislation.htm

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57329001-281/how-sopa-would-affect-you-faq/

Update: SOPA to be voted on January 24th  (http://americancensorship.org/)

This week in the civil realm...public meetings in Southfield and Dearborn

SEA members are watching (and representing) at a few public meetings this week!

Today Sara Cole, a UM-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center employee, is attending the Southfield City Council meeting to testify about the community and educational impact of Environmental Interpretive Centers.

Meanwhile, a handful of SEA members have their eyes and ears open for tomorrow's public meeting on Dearborn's proposed Greenway expansion grant:

Tuesday Dec. 13th at 7:00 pm in Club Room 1 of the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, open to the public!

The city's applying for an MDOT grant to extend part of its Greenway (which runs from Andiamo through UM-Dearborn and HFCC and beyond). This is a good time to follow up on remarks made at last year's recreation master plan meeting. There are many interesting comments emerging from people reading the article too... perhaps we'll see you there?

Read more about it via Dearborn Patch:
http://dearborn.patch.com/articles/city-to-hold-public-meeting-on-greenway-trail-extension-effort

And the Dearborn Press and Guide:  http://bit.ly/PrssNGdDbrnGrnwyXpnd

Residents are especially encouraged to submit comments. If you can't attend, remember that you can submit your comments in writing (it's possibly even more effective if you can do both).

An EPA afternoon: participatory community learning and education

First, there's still time to participate in the EPA's Environmental Justice Conference here in Detroit--it's free, they take walk-ins, and your participation is meaningful!  Go here to see where it's at and what's going on tomorrow:  http://www.cleanairinfo.com/ejconference/agenda.htm

This is a mix of summary and commentary on today's events from the afternoon EPA Federal work group session.  I participated in the community organization working group, and later attended the panel for "The Detroit Story".

Interesting news came out of the ongoing EPA Environmental Conference today. This afternoon we realized that people all over the U.S. are striving to organize, but there's a lot of organizational fragmentation.

[More after the page break]

Detroit Frack Ban Resolution status: unanimously passed!

The resolution didn't get on Tuesday's agenda, but it has been well represented and
voted on today (Friday the 22nd) during the noon session.

I called Chris Corrigan of the Detroit Food and Water Watch office at about 1:30 today and learned that the Detroit City Council passed the ban by unanimous vote.  This is literally a watershed event.  Most of the communities upstream in the Rouge River watershed (Westward from Dearborn out to Superior/Salem Townships, and North out to Rochester Hills, Bloomfield/West Bloomfield Townships, and Novi) get their municipal tap (drinking) water from the Detroit river--which the Rouge drains into.

As far as I could reckon, Food and Water Watch, Dearborn/Dearborn Heights League of Women Voters, the SEA, and Akinpelu twins were in attendance on Tuesday.  Details forthcoming as we find out what happens next. Those who spoke got their concerns for safety and its regional relevance to Southeast Michigan across--it piqued councilman Brown's interest and he expressed his thanks to all of the youth who came to represent their solidarity in the issue.  

Congratulations for your leadership Detroit, it's a major step forward in citizen and environmental protections.  Also, please be vigilant in following through--you can propose similar resolutions in your hometown too!

That said, I believe the city of Detroit and groups like Food and Water watch will also need to look in earnest toward something creative and solutions oriented for responsibly meeting energy and employment needs.  They've got very bright talents in the area, and it's time to make it known that Detroit's leadership is happening from all directions at all levels of Southeast Michigan.

Liveability, walkability, and public hearings that could make it happen sooner!

Have you ever thought "Gee, crossing Evergreen Road and Hubbard as a pedestrian can be mighty dangerous!  I wish I could safely walk
from the Main Campus to the Fairlane Centers..." after class ended and the shuttles stopped running?

 

The following public meetings are opportunities to make the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus more walkable (maybe even less liable!), and the city more livable (which also helps reduce regional vehicular emissions) are coming soon.  Also, ask Dr. Bazzi if the public hearings merit ESCI/ENST 385 seminar credit.

Dearborn Sustainability Round Table II

The next Sustainability Round Table is Wed. August 25th 6:00-8:00 pm at the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Environmental Interpretive Center, hosted by the Sierra Club Cool Cities Dearborn Group.

The immediate objectives of this meeting are:

1. Envision the benefits from current sustainability initiatives for individuals
2. Envision the benefits from current initiatives in sustainability for the community as a whole

Longstanding objectives of these round table meetings are to:

1. Increase sustainability awareness
2. Organize interest in sustainability
3. Foster informed coalition building and network development in the city
4. Cultivate a more vibrant and sustainable community in the Metro Detroit area

Once again:

Come when you can and go when you must.


Feel free to bring informational materials about your organization, its programs and initiatives, as well as a dish to share (it's also a potluck for sustainability).
We hope attendees will have a clear understanding of the local groups
currently at work, as well as the regional initiatives which may
influence events happening within the Dearborn area.

The first round table was focused on organizing interest and
perspectives in sustainability--essentially to establish principles of
sustainability through broad community input.  Attendees, interested individuals, and organizations shared their individual initiatives and interests.

Please RSVP to Mary Ann Baier (313) 561-7351 email maturtle (at) gmail (dot) com


Meeting Preview:

The meeting will start with an interpretive walk of the natural area
and mushroom farm led by members of the Student Environmental
Association at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, introductions from
the Sierra Club Cool Cities Group and David Norwood, the
Sustainability Coordinator of the City of Dearborn will be a featured
guest speaker.  Round robin introductions of individuals and
organizations will be followed by a break out discussion on how
everyone's initiatives enrich individuals and the community as a
whole.

We intend to document the findings from this discussion, and
there is potential for them to be integrated into future proposals and
plans for the city or University.


Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Ian D. Tran
President, The Student Environmental Association at the University of
Michigan-Dearborn

Climate Change: Our democracy, everyone's planet, a call to action

Green wolverines, wolves, and friends of the SEA:

Harry Reid recently announced that the climate bill will not be addressed this year.  The ethical implications and research beckons us to promptly take prudent action on climate change.

Embracing the issue as civil individuals and acting as a society is among humanity's greatest of challenges.  Respected peers at the Sierra Club and Repower America are looking for volunteers, and you can help unite the voices of Michigan's communities to bring and keep a good bill back onto the national agenda until it has become law.

As informed citizens, we can charge our representatives to hold the national legislation accountable to its people and the well being of our global community--biotic and abiotic.

Furthermore, we can also demand that the legislation includes appropriate solutions to meet the challenges of climate change.  We are the people, this is our democracy.  We are all members of the UM community, we are the leaders and the best.

Sincerely,
Ian D. Tran
-
President, The Student Environmental Association at The University of Michigan-Dearborn
p.s.
I'd feel irresponsible if I urged you to action without providing some credible resources and thoughtful analysis, here's a link to a sustainability project called "The Story of Stuff" by a thoughtful and articulate activist named Annie Leonard.  She nicely communicates the cap and trade system and things we can do to strengthen the bill in a video, and the transcript has citations for her sources: http://storyofstuff.com/capandtrade/

You can view some of my thoughts and supplements here on the blog concerning some of the organizations listed above, metrics for political efficacy, and recommendations for useful classes offered at UM-Dearborn.

The Volunteer Schedule

Invitation: Dearborn Sustainability Round Table June 16th

To whom it may concern,

I've been working closely with the Dearborn Sierra Club Cool Cities Group to bring institutional, not-for-profit, corporate, academic, governmental, and community leaders together for comprehensive sustainability efforts in the Dearborn area.

We cordially invite you to join us for a moderated round table discussion in room 1225 of the University Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn on Wednesday June 16^th, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

This event is open to all, please RSVP to Mary Ann Baier: maturtle (at) gmail.com

Come when you can, go when you must.  If you believe this invitation may be suited for other individuals or organizations, please share it with them.

Our immediate objectives for this meeting is to increase sustainability awareness and foster informed coalition building and network development in the city.  We hope attendees will have a clear understanding of the local groups currently at work, as well as the regional initiatives which may influence events happening within the Dearborn area.

Among our longer-term goals, we aim to organize interest in establishing a sustainability panel for the city and formalize the University of Michigan-Dearborn's task force to coordinate efforts in sustainability to increase meaningful impact locally and globally through the community.

Feel free to bring a dish to share (it's also a potluck for sustainability) as well.

Below is the agenda overview:

-Greetings
-Introduction and objectives
-Organizational introductions, activities, accomplishments, goals
-Local event opportunities
-Mingle, network, etc.

-Next steps and meeting closure

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to meting you,

Ian D. Tran

--

President, The Student Environmental Association at The University of Michigan-Dearborn

http://sustainableum-d.blogspot.com/

http://www.rcampus.com/Clubhomeshellc.cfm?xsite=sealeader

Henry Ford Estate and Grounds transfer approved by Board of Regents

As some of you may have known, the Henry Ford Estate and its grounds have been given to the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House (tax exempt non-profit private ownership).  You can view the official press release here: http://www.umd.umich.edu/fullstory/article/University_unites_with_Ford_House/ 


The University will retain much of the land surrounding the Estate, but it looks like everything from the Rose Garden and Jensen's Meadow Southward will be part of the new ownership (see the University Action Request to the regents here ), with exception to the forested areas.

I honestly didn't know what to do with the news as there was very little information in all publications that would clarify how the grounds would be used and apportioned.  I found it contentious, not so much because of the sale, but because very few people knew about it until after the deal was made.  Several students and I would have at least appreciated knowing what it would be used for, and what the terms of agreement would be as we've been regular visitors to the forest--it's open to the public and the field biology class regularly uses it as their classroom.  That's why the grasses in Jensen's Meadow grow out every summer, it makes a great example for early ecological succession.  It's also a fair example of how you can get a lawn space to look good without intensive treatment.

But there's some great news!  I just realized that we can at least find out what went into the terms by requesting to see the contract via the Freedom of Information Act.  (I'll tell you how this crossed my mind in another post)

However, it doesn't make the University's procedures any different from before unless new policies are adopted to inform faculty, staff, and students about major exchanges like this.  All organizations benefit from engaged membership, and UM-Dearborn especially stands to do so.  Having short or late notice of these events minimizes the opportunity for participation, and many if not most students don't know how to engage the process even if they are interested and available to do so.

I guess I'd be aiming for something akin to shareholder's rights... we pay the school every semester, and it would seem reasonable that we should be allowed the opportunity to have a say in what happens to the educational assets of the community (campus and beyond--the estate and forest are open to the public).  Also, we'll bear the institution's name for the rest of our lives as attendees and graduates so we certainly do have some kind of stake in its future as its representatives.

The second thing I'd like to see is a comprehensive guide to the University Administration and their general roles online and in print issued to every student at orientation or as part of the student handbook.  Most students don't understand what the Provost, Deans, Vice Chancellors and Chancellor do.  However, some do know when there are gaps in their educational experience, and can concisely articulate their insights given the appropriate point of contact.  It might even save Ombuds services some time.


First things first, anyone else interested in reading up on the contract with me?

You can view all Board of Regents meeting minutes here: http://www.regents.umich.edu/meetings/04-10/index.html

[edit 12 July 2010]  There will be a Board of Regents meeting this Thursday the 15th  at 3:00 pm.


Thanks to Ken Kettenbeil, UM-Dearborn Director of Communications, for his clarification, sharing the Regent's minutes, and link to the press release.  Anyone interested in the status of the Henry Ford Estate are encouraged to reach the Office of University Relations:

PHONE: 313-593-5518
The Office of University Relations
Room 1040, Administration Building
University of Michigan-Dearborn

The Suburban Expedition

With the conclusion of UM-Dearborn's 2010 winter semester drawing near, members of the SEA decided it would be an appropriate time for a suburban expedition to a wetland in Livonia.

I'll reiterate:  SUBURBAN EXPEDITION!  Livonia wetland!

Tentatively this will happen on the weekend of the 8th/9th of May (hopefully the 9th as I'll be in Chicago or Detroit the day before).

The idea is to go into the field, get in touch with the great outdoors, do an on-site study where we all take some samples/do some scientific monitoring, explore, meet new people and have fun.

It's a good opportunity for everyone to learn new/swap field research techniques too.

New registrars to be interviewed

FYI I just found out via e-mail and thought you should know too.  I personally don't know a lot about this end of University Administration, but I can safely say that this is a good opportunity to express your desire for administrative/academic transparency and accessibility (you know, like how it's near impossible to find out what lab fees are used for what class, or to see an itemized credit by credit cost estimate by class).

Questions for Sustainability Fest?

Do you have questions about Sustainability Fest? We'll answer what we can and get to work with finding answers right away if we don't have them yet (answered to the best of our knowledge and ability).

Can't attend sustainability fest but want to share your thoughts with our speakers and guests? Post your questions here and we'll do our best to represent your comments and concerns at the event.

Who might you want to ask questions to? Here are some topics to consider and the people who we'll investigate with:

Sustainable food systems: Professor Lohr is presenting "The Environmental Crisis on Your Plate" Monday Oct. 19th at 7:30 pm in Kochoff Hall of the University Center.

What are some company philosophies for social, environmental, and economic responsibility?

Larry Crittenden of the U.S.Green Building Council and the many other "Triple Bottom Line" organizations will answer your questions at the panel discussion during the Sustainable Connections Career Expo Wednesday Oct. 21st from 1:30-4:00pm in Kochoff Hall of the University Center.

What the heck does art have to do with sustainability?

Ask any of the artists (including me!) who will be presenting their works Wednesday Oct. 21st from 12:00-3:00 at the Sustainable visions art exhibition, and at 4:00 you have the unique opportunity to experience social sustainability in-concert as performers regardless of your prior musical experience (even if you've had none). Check out Rzewski's "Sheep of Panurge" to see how you can participate: http://icking-music-archive.org/scores/rzewski/mouton.pdf